HO/CO and NO Regulate Oxytocin - Anxiety and Autism Implications?

Considering the relationship of oxytocin to behaviors such as fear, aggression and attachment, this study may have significant implications for PTSD as well as social problems such as violence and neglect. Also, it presents a question of whether a decline in the antioxidant system may also positively or negatively have an influence because it regulates HO-1.

Blockade of HO inhibited both basal and osmotically stimulated OT release, and induced a marked increase in NOS activity. These results indicate the involvement of CO in the regulation of NOS activity. The present data demonstrate that hypothalamic OT release induced by osmotic stimuli is modulated, at least in part, by interactions between NO and CO.

CiteULike: Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide modulate hyperosmolality-induced oxytocin secretion by the hypothalamus in vitro.: "Gomes, D. A. A., Giusti-Paiva, A., Ventura, R. R. R., Elias, L. L. K. L., Cunha, F. Q. Q., and Antunes-Rodrigues, J. (2010). Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide modulate hyperosmolality-induced oxytocin secretion by the hypothalamus in vitro. Bioscience reports, 30(5):351-357."